News International titles sign deal with Premier League to show 'near-live' clips on mobiles

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The Times, Sunday Times and Sun newspapers have signed a three-year-deal with the Premier League to broadcast "near live" clips of live football matches to mobile devices.

Starting in August 2013, the deal means NI titles can show up to eight 30-second clips of key moments during live matches via mobile devices (except for games played on Saturday at 3pm). Clips of up to 60-seconds from each game will also be available for a week after matchday via the websites.

Timeline

Subscribers will be able to access the clips on a new Sun tablet app, which is due to be launched in the next few months, The Sun’s smartphone app and via The Times and Sunday Times digital products.

Mike Darcey, chief executive officer of NI Group Ltd, said: “This is a major breakthrough for the company, allowing us to combine our rich heritage with cutting edge technology to transform the experience we are offering our subscribers. They will now have access to the most compelling moments in the most competitive football league in the world at a time, place and format that suits them.

“In a rapidly changing industry, this is an unprecedented moment and a testament to the pioneering attitude of which we can be proud. Once again we are leading the way with innovative technology, drawing on our journalistic heritage and our unrivalled world-class content.”

Robert Thomson, a former editor of The Times and recently announced as chief executive officer of New News Corporation, said: “Smartphones are only going to get smarter and we have to be just as clever in creating content and finessing the format.

“With an eye toward the virtuosity of video, the new News Corp will be focused on complementary content, repurposing our expertise across platforms and across the globe. The confluence of digital technology and football is one of the great meeting places of the modern world, so this is quite a moment for the company. We are practising our goal celebration.”